More Than the Mess: Discovering Peace and Purpose in Motherhood

Motherhood truly is a unique season in life. There’s no other time when we’re needed quite like this. Of course, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of everyday life—the endless to-do lists, the constant demands. But here’s the thing: this time, where our little ones need us in such deep, tangible ways, is so short. As exhausting as these moments can be, they’re a part of our bigger calling as moms. You were made for this.

Now, let’s be honest—motherhood is hard and far from glamorous. It’s not the picture-perfect moments we see on Instagram. It’s messy, loud, and overwhelming at times. But even in the middle of the mess—the tantrums, the sleepless nights—there’s something beautiful happening. Those hard days? They’re reminders that the role we’ve been given is irreplaceable. We’ve been called to be fully present in our kids’ lives right now, no matter how hard it feels sometimes.

God Has Called You

Motherhood isn’t just something we happen to find ourselves doing. It’s a calling—one that God has specifically designed for us. He’s entrusted us with the lives of our children, and every day, even in the most mundane moments, we are fulfilling His plan.

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV) reminds us,

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Every meltdown we soothe, every bedtime story we read, and every lesson we teach has an eternal impact. The work we do in shaping our children isn’t just about getting through the day—it’s about pointing them toward the path God has for them.

Spoiler alert and quite frankly the best part: we’re not in this alone. God is with us, walking beside us as we navigate motherhood. In Isaiah 40:11 (ESV), we see this beautiful picture of God’s heart:

“He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.”

Just like a shepherd cares for his sheep, God gently leads us, giving us the strength we need to care for our little ones. He carries us when we’re tired and overwhelmed. When we feel like we’re not enough, He reminds us that through Him, we have everything we need.

Keeping Your Eyes on Jesus 

It’s tough to stay present when everything in our world pulls us in different directions. Between the pressure to contribute financially, the constant noise of social media, and the busyness of life, it’s easy to feel stretched thin. The truth is, our culture is constantly telling us to do more, be more, and fill every moment with productivity.

But motherhood is about being more than doing. Being present in the moment—really seeing and hearing our kids—is a countercultural choice. It’s easy to get distracted, but when we refocus our hearts and eyes on Jesus, the chaos fades into the background. He’s the one thing that truly matters in this world. Yet, when we lean into Him, we find the strength to prioritize what’s eternal over what’s temporary.

Jesus said it plainly in Luke 10:41-42 (ESV):

“‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”

Just like Martha, we’re often worried about many things, but Jesus calls us to focus on Him, the one thing that matters most. When we do, we can let go of the pressure to do it all and instead embrace the moments we’ve been given with our children.

Being Present Over Perfect

We live in a world that pushes us to hustle, to make it look like we’ve got everything together all the time. But you know what? Our kids don’t need a perfect version of us—they need us. They need moms who show up, even when we’re tired. Moms who take time to listen, even when the house is a mess. That’s what it means to be present.

When we stop striving for perfection and start embracing the messiness of life, we’re able to enjoy the journey more. Perfection is a myth, but presence is what creates those moments we’ll remember—and what our kids will remember too. Motherhood isn’t about achieving some unrealistic ideal; it’s about leaning into what God has given us right now.

Embrace the Mess and Let Go of Control

There’s no one who is more guilty of this than me—the urge to want to control everything, to make sure everything goes smoothly. But if we’re always trying to manage every detail, we miss out on the moments that matter most. The truth is, we’re not meant to carry it all on our own. I’m a constant work in progress and God is gently reminding me of this.

God has given us these little humans to raise, but He doesn’t expect us to do it without Him. It’s okay to let go of the idea that you need to control every outcome. Let God take the lead, and trust that He’s guiding you in this season. As Philippians 4:13 (ESV) says,

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

When we stop trying to carry the weight of the world and instead lean into God’s strength, we find peace. It allows us to enjoy motherhood—not because it’s easy, but because we’re not doing it in our own power. Our kids don’t need perfect moms; they need moms who are willing to show up, to love deeply, and to point them toward Jesus.

joyFULLY mama,

Kenna